Most of my meetings and activities were related to NMRT (the ALA New Members Round Table), but I also enjoyed the Elsevier Networking Reception Sunday night at the Georgia Aquarium. As part of the reception, we got to walk around on a self-guided tour, where I saw several people I know and met a fellow Duke alum who works for Elsevier now. One of my favorite parts of the Aquarium was watching the beluga whales, though my photos of them didn’t turn out well.

I also had lunch with a couple of colleagues, which was fun! On Sunday, I ate with a former library school classmate, and we hit the food court at the CNN Center, just before the pre-game influx of Falcon and Packer fans!

This conference experience was a little different for me, as I took my walker with me for assistance with my healing foot sprain. Having a walker for the conference gave me a different perspective on how things (like public restrooms and hotel rooms) are laid out for people with mobility issues. I also had to build in some extra rest time, so I missed some programs I would’ve enjoyed going to. I’m looking forward to the ALA Annual Conference this summer in Chicago!

I’m heading to Atlanta in couple of days for the ALA Midwinter Meeting. I was thankful for the long weekend (due to the MLK holiday) to run pre-trip errands and start organizing my stuff. Count on me to overpack, but I’m driving, so that’s okay!

Most of my meetings will revolve around NMRT meetings and activities, since I’ve started my 3-year term as NMRT Treasurer-Elect/Treasurer. I’ve added a few more goodies to my schedule, though, including a reception at the Georgia Acquarium! A vendor smartly secured this neat location for their reception, and I bet there will be a good turnout.

As an added bonus, the Atlanta Falcons won their NFL Playoff game this past weekend, so they’ll be playing again this coming Sunday in Atlanta, next to the conference center where a bulk of the ALA Midwinter stuff will be taking place. There’s an 80% chance of rain in the forecast, to boot! While I don’t follow pro football, I must admit I’m looking forward to the extra buzz while we’re in town. I’m thankful I already have a hotel room, though!

Last weekendm I attended ALA Midwinter in Chicago, and, I must say, it was a really good conference for me! I attended some interesting sessions, which ranged from panels to programs to roundtable discussions. Topics ranged from electronic resources to middle management issues to leadership development. I also enjoyed seeing colleagues from previous jobs as well as from Duke, as well as librarians I’ve met at previous conferences. Meal times turned into a great time to catch up with old friends and meet new people. (For two different meals, I shared a table with librarians I met “in the moment,” who also needed a place to sit. Loved that serendipity!)

Snow Outside McCormick Place, Chicago

On Sunday, a big snow came in, dumping a number of inches of the white stuff on the ground! Fortunately, I stayed in the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, which is connected to the convention center, also called McCormick Place. I was glad to be able to stay inside for my conference activities, since I’m not a polar bear! The snow was lovely, though!

I didn’t get to do any tourist activities this time, as I’d hoped, but I look forward to returning to Chicago in the future!

One of several highlights of my trip happened Friday morning, while I was waiting at the gate at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for my airplane. I recognized Garrison Keillor walk by and have a seat at my gate! I texted George, who encouraged me to say hello to him. I did, and he shook my hand. It was over in a flash, but it was fun to meet him!

I’m getting ready for my first ALA conference as a non-student! I graduated from NCCU SLIS just last month, and although I’ve been to ALA before, and I’ve been working in libraries for quite a while, this feels somewhat different. I’m thinking more (and differently) about the sessions I’ll attend, and I’m making a point of getting together with colleagues as well. Since ALA Midwinter is in Chicago, I’m also planning on bundling up! (Brrr!) I haven’t been to the Windy City since I was a teenager, so I’m really looking forward to the quick visit!